MIR: Expedition 6
(EO-6)

Launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome; landing 72 km northeast of Arkalyk.

Following a two day solo flight the Soyuz docked with the Soyuz TM-8-MIR-Kvant-Kvant2 complex on 13.02.1990. The sixth resident crew take turning the fifth resident crew.

Supplies with several cargo spaceships of type Progress arrived at the station. The module Kristall (with food containers and the industrial processing units Krater 3, Optizon 1, Zona 02, and Zona 03.) docked with the station on 10.06.1990.

The crew conducted an extensive programme of geophysical and astrophysical research, experiments on biology and biotechnology and work on space materials science. They started the commercial production of crystal in highest quality for an US electronic company. A protein grow experiment was also profitable (25 Million Rubel).

EVA on 17.07.1990 (7h 16m) in which spacecraft Soyuz TM-9 was repaired (three of the eight thermal blankets (layers of foil vacuum-shield insulation) on the descent module of the approaching Soyuz TM-9 spacecraft had come loose from their attachments near the heat shield, yet remained attached at their top ends). Problems because of damage of Kvant2 module hatch. The hatch couldn't be closed, so the cosmonauts were forced to use the emergency airlock of the central compartment of Kvant. Another EVA on 26.07.1990 (3h 31m) to repair the hatch failed was performed.